June 23rd, 2026 — The night between June 23rd and June 24, Midsummer Night (also known as St. John’s Eve), is considered a magical night in many cultures. Across Europe, pagan rites, Christian traditions, and popular myths intertwine, along with ancient rituals connected to the four elements.
Nocino
Local tradition holds that the day before Midsummer Night is the time to prepare nocino, a walnut liqueur.
Ancient Roman records report that the Picts, a people of Britain, gathered “on Midsummer Night and drank a dark walnut liquor from a shared cup.
The recipe spread throughout Italy and was preserved by Benedictine monks. Traditional nocino is a liqueur from the areas of Modena and Reggio Emilia, but its preparation has since become widespread throughout the country.
Here at Civitella, where we are fortunate to have six walnut trees, we also make nocino on June 23rd each year, with the second group of Fellows.
To prepare it, we need:
- 23 green walnut husks (the number 23 is a prime number and is also linked to the date itself). The walnuts should be unripe and green, with the nut inside not yet fully developed.
- 1 liter of 95% alcohol.
- 1 cinnamon stick.
- Lemon and/or orange peel (lemon is preferred).
- 3 cloves.
- Optionally, one vanilla bean may be added (although this is not part of the traditional recipe).
Cut the green walnut husks into four pieces and immerse them in the pure alcohol along with the other ingredients. They are left to macerate in the alcohol for at least forty days.
On the night of the Perseid meteor shower (around August 10 in 2026)— also known as the night of Saint Lawrence, and the shooting stars as the Tears of St. Lawrence—the alcohol, having absorbed all the flavors of the ingredients, is filtered and combined with one liter of simple syrup. The syrup is made from half a liter of water and 500 grams of sugar, gently dissolved over low heat without allowing the water to boil.
The liquid is then left to rest and should not be consumed before Christmas Day. The nocino we make in 2026 will be enjoyed by the Fellows of 2027.
A few tips:
- Remember the secret ingredient: patience! Nocino needs time to mature.
- Tradition says that the walnuts should be picked by hand, as contact with metal can affect their flavor.
- Wear gloves when cutting the walnut husks, as they release a liquid that stains the hands.
- The sugar should be dissolved slowly when making the syrup, and the water should never be allowed to boil.
- Let the syrup cool completely before mixing it with the alcohol.
- Listen to the nocino making playlist created by Group 2 composers while you prepare the liquor!
L’Acqua di San Giovanni
L’Acqua di San Giovanni (St. John’s Water) is an ancient Italian folk ritual coinciding with the summer solstice and the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. On the evening of the 23rd, wander outdoors to gather wild herbs and fragrant flowers and then place them in a bowl outdoors overnight. Upon waking on the 24th, wash your hands and face with the fragrant, dew-infused water to heal and protect you for the year to come.